A CURIOUS CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1922, Page 5

A CURIOUS CASE.

ALLEGED THREAT IN LETTER. CHARGE AGAINST REV. S. R. ORR. INFORMATION WITHDRAWN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 20. The Rev. Samuel Robertson Orr appeared in the Magistrate’s Court today. He made no appearance when first called and a discussion took place as to whether, in view of the medical advice that Mr. Orr was not fit to take part in the proceedings, the case should be withdrawn. Mr. Jellicoe, counsel for Mrs. Evans, said he would make no application, and Mr. Hunt, the Magistrate, said he would not order the charge to be withdrawn. Mr. Orr appeared after a short adjournment and Mr. Jellicoe opened the case. After a short time Mr. Orr broke down and a further short adjournment was made. The charge against Mr. Orr is of allegedly sending Mrs. Evans a letter threatening that, unless she discharged or gave up the judgment recorded against Mr. Orr .in the Supremo Court, two persons who gave evidence for plaintiff would be accused of perjury. Mr. Jellicoe stated, that there had been a deliberate and overt act to defraud the judgment debtor. He explained that in August Mrs. Evans received a judgment summons against accused and his wife’s estate for £2OO damages and £ll5 costs, and defendant executed a bill of sale over his property. A few days afterwards he sent from Chirstehurch a telegram asking one of his church officials to meet him next day (August 27) in Wellington, where he was to preach. With another member of ths church they met and Mr. Orr asked them to arrange for the delivery of a letter to Mrs. Evans. Next day he gave them the letter which they passed to a third man for delivery. Mrs. lEvans refused to accept it and it was placed in the letter-box. The same day Mrs. Evans received a telegram advising her to comply with the terms of the letter. Counsel said this telegram was given to a boy in front of the General Post Office to deliver. HISTORY OF THE LETTERS. THE CONDITION OF ORR. MEDICAL TESTIMONY. " . Wellington, Last Night. In the Orr case, Mr. Jellicoe proceeded to read a number of letters, which he said had been forwarded to Mrs. Evans for her signature, including one to Mr, Jellicoe dispensing with his services and another to the registrar of the Supreme Court regarding holding judgment in abeyance. A man called at Mrs. Evans’ place to collect those letters, but Mrs. Evans had communicated with the police and two detectives were secreted inside and outside the house. Mrs. Evans handed an empty envelope to the man, who, as soon as he got outside, started to run. The detectives gave chase, but the man got away. Mr. Jellicoe detailed the defendant’s movements, and concluded by remarking that Orr had now honestly fulfilled his obligations under the judgment. “Under these circumstances,” he added, “I can only hope that the defendant will make good his statement that he knew nothing of the letter and that the whole matter had been arranged by the Christchurch lodge of his society. I hope he will prove in his own interests, and to the interests of the public, that there exists in our midst a combination of evilly disposed persons who are sworn to carry out their decisions by means of menaces. If he does this he will find the prosecution ready to assist him .in extricating himself from his trouble.’’ The first witness was Vera E. McNillage, of New Brighton, Christchurch, who stated she had been with defendant and his wife in Wellington last year. Before she married in August she wrote a letter dictated by a man named Mitchell. A copy was sent to Orr with some portions omitted Another letter was dictated by Mitchell addressed to someone in Palmerston North. Witness said Mitchell told her Orr had got into some trouble and he wanteed to help him. Mitchell said he was an Orangeman and Orr also was an Orangeman. Dr. J. M. Mason, who had examined defendant at the request of Mr. Jellicoe and furnished the report referred to earlier, said defendant most certainly was not in a fit condition to follow any argument. He believed that for a long period Orr had not been right. “He is not mental,” added witness, “but he has had periods of intense depression and then exhaltation.” Mr. Hunt,. S.M.: He would not appreciate his trial before a jury. Witness: He would not. No man properly balanced, in his opinion, would have acted in this way. According to the statements made to witness by Orr he did not realise now that his letter might be the basis for a criminal charge.

Dr. Jeffreys, who had seen defendant daily for some time past, said that at the present time he was not fit to stand his trial and he should not ibe there to-day.

The Magistrate: I have fully considered this matter, and I do not think that the country should be put to the expense—

Mr. Jellicoe (interrupting): Now, T would ask Your Worship permission to withdraw. The civil proceedings had been settled and he would like to withdraw the charges. Mr. MazengfTrb: I would ask that it be dismissed. Mr. Jellicoe: Not on the doctors’ evidence.

The Magistrate: Very well then, the information will he withdrawn with the consent of the Court.